But Scottish golf fans have shifted their attention to the top names on the Ladies European Tour who are competing in The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open this weekend.

The tournament is being played at Dundonald Links in North Ayrshire, just a few miles along the coast from the iconic Royal Troon.

The RICOH Women’s British Open will also take place at the Trump Turnberry Resort in Scotland the following weekend.

Scotland boasts many of the world’s most iconic courses. Yet while famous Open venues like St Andrews , Gleneagles , Muirfield, Turnberry and Troon leap to the top of every golf fan’s wishlist, there are hundreds more magnificent courses out there.

So if these fantastic tournaments have got you in the mood for a round, Scotland Now has picked out 18 hidden gems that offer a unique and immensely satisfying golf experience.

And the best thing is that this list is just a handful of the stunning courses scattered across our small but beautiful country...

Shiskine Golf Club, Isle of Arran

A glance at the scorecard to see it has only 12 holes is just the start of this beguiling, quirky and utterly intoxicating golfing journey.

From the blind shot up a steep hill to the par three Crow’s Nest to the dramatic cliffside tee shot at the next dropping all the way back down, this cult classic is a thrill ride from start to finish.

Kilspindie, East Lothian

It’s short, measuring less than 5500 yards off the back tees, and oh so sweet. This charming ancient links is a real throwback to the days of the mashie niblick and feather ball.

Tucked away at the end of a small private road that meanders along the shore of Aberlady Bay, Kilspindie is literally a hidden gem cherished by locals and tourists clued up enough to get in on the secret. The most fun you can have with your spikes on.

Fortrose & Rosemarkie, Rosshire

Across the Moray Firth from Castle Stuart lies one of the most quirky and alluring courses in Scotland. Perched on a narrow peninsula just 14 miles along the coast from Inverness, there’s a sea view everywhere you turn.

Bottlenose dolphins are regularly seen cavorting in the cool blue water around Chanonry Point lighthouse tucked in behind the fourth hole. Picture postcard beauty merged perfectly with warm Highland hospitality.

St Fillans, Perthshire

“If I was asked for my favourite inland course in Scotland, I’d go for St Fillans.” Endorsements don’t get much better than that glowing tribute by fomrer Masters and Open champion Sandy Lyle.

A gentle flat course on the southern plains of the River Earn, its setting amidst the rolling hills of Perthshire is truly idyllic. And handily located if you’re coming to Gleneagles for the Ryder Cup.

Brora, Sutherland

Along the coast from the famous Royal Dornoch lies this lesser known delight, designed by James Braid.

Hugging the North Sea coastline, the natural rugged beauty of the front nine is captivating. But beware the electric fences that keep the grazing cattle off the slick greens!

Anstruther, Fife

Although most famous for its world renowned fish and chip shops, the golf in this gorgeous little village is pretty tasty too.

Spectacular views over the harbour and out to the Isle of May and Bass Rock are a constant distraction but it’s in your interest to concentrate. Especially at Ainster’s version of Amen Corner comprising a series of three challenging short holes starting with The Rockies - voted the toughest par three in the UK.

Aberdour, Fife

Hailed the fourth best golfing experience in Scotland by the readers of Bunkered magazine, thanks to its cracking course, excellent facilities and visitor-friendly welcome.

Teetering on the edge of Fife’s south coast, this beautiful parkland course offers breathtaking vistas across the Firth of Forth towards Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat. Just half an hour from Edinburgh Airport and45 minutes short of St Andrews, it’s a worthwhile pit-stop en route to the home of golf.

Crail Balcomie, Fife

No trip to St Andrews or Kingsbarns would be complete without pressing further up the road to this masterpiece on the East Neuk.

The seventh oldest golf club in the world, more than 200 years has done nothing to diminish its appeal as one of the most enduring and endearing links courses in the world.

Too short to host the major championships of Scotland’s other great links courses, but the Balcomie is no less impressive.

Askernish, South Uist

The course reclaimed by the wild until a band of dedicated golf lovers restored it to its old glories.

Old Tom Morris came to South Uist in 1891 to create a course at the request of the wealthy land owner, Lady Cathcart.

But by the early 1920s it was abandoned to the wilds for 80 years until a group of locals resolved to resurrect it with the help of leading design experts. Askernish reopened in 2008 to the highest acclaim from golf purists,

Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire

Teetering on the edge of the Braes of Cowne, you’ll be hitting over the edge of cliffs that fall dramatically into the sea, crossing deep gorges on to tilted fairways and down steep hills. There’s even a bomb crater to negotiate, left during the Second World War by a German pilot lightening his load for the journey home.

But “Hitler’s bunker” is just one of countless quirky, dramatic features to enthrall on this clifftop thrill ride that will live long in the memory.

Boat of Garten, Aviemore

Dubbed The Gleneagles of the North, The Boat commands a stunning setting in the foothills of the Cairngorms mountain range, only 10 minutes drive from the bustling village of Aviemore.

Another James Braid masterpiece, the design features 18 completely individual holes, that cleverly and sensitively shaped in tune with natural landscape of birch trees, heather and broom. Just wonderful.

Largs Kelburn, Ayrshire

With spectacular views over the Clyde estuary and the neighbouring islands of Cumbrae, Bute and Arran, this parkland course is among the best in Ayrshire. Nestled in an enviable spot between Kelburn Castle and the sea, the course’s manicured greens are the envy of many on the west coast. Combined with lush fairways, meandering burns and tree-lined dog-legs, the course offers a fair but rewarding challenge for golfers of all abiilities.

The Glen, North Berwick, East Lothian

Set on the clifftops overlooking the south end of North Berwick and the iconic Bass Rock outpost which towers above the crashing waves. It’s criminal to think that this gem is so often overlooked by tourists who flock to the town’s more famous historic links.

If you find yourself on Scotland’s magnificent golf coast, don’t make the same mistake.

Hopeman Golf Club, Moray, Aberdeenshire

One of the most demanding links courses in the North of Scotland with fairways jealously guarded by gorse and broom.

Highlight is “The Prieshach”, the spectacular 12th hole with its green nestling in the Clashach Cove over 100 feet below the tee - described by former Open champion and Ryder Cup star Paul Lawrie as “one of the best par 3s I have ever played.”

The Roxburghe, Kelso, Borders

Set on the Duke of Roxburghe’s idyllic estate, this Dave Thomas designed course boasts one of the best driving holes in Scotland - the 14th hole named Viaduct. Here you look from on high down to the River Teviot meandering below you. With immaculately presented greens and fairways, its reputation as one of the finest courses in the south is well deserved.

Western Gailes, Irvine, Ayrshire

Sam Torrance calls it one of those courses where, once finished, you just want to walk straight back to the first and play it all over again.

With views of the hills of Arran and Ailsa Craig, this superb Ayrshire links course has ambiance and character in abundance. Doesn’t boast the fame of near neighbours like Troon and Turnberry but it says everything that the great Harry Vardon and Gene Sarazen rated Western Gailes one of Scotland’s finest.

Longniddry Golf Club, East Lothian

Resting amongst links golfing heaven in East Lothian, Longniddry is a sadly underrated stop as players stampede towards Gullane, Muirfield and North Berwick. A mixture of links and woodland, this course will get your strategic golfing brain thinking. A must-see course for all links enthusiasts.

Kilmarnock (Barassie), Troon, Ayrshire

Although the east coast of Scotland has a reputation for historic links golf, there are plenty of legendary links on the west coast too - and Barassie is one the finest. Golf has been played there for over 100 years and is today an Open qualifying course. Nestling beside Troon, it’s a tough links challenge and a great course to test golfers of all standards.